Which Infants in a Neonatal Unit Are at Most Risk of Feeding Difficulties?

Feeding problems are common among babies who are born preterm or who have medical conditions. It is not yet known which babies admitted to neonatal units are most at risk of feeding problems. Studies have shown that the degree of prematurity and the presence of additional health problems make feeding difficulties more likely. However, research does not always agree on which health problems are most associated with feeding problems and many studies on prematurity exclude babies with the most complex health problems. Additionally, not all babies with complex health problems and feeding problems are premature. This study aims to answer the question 'Is gestational age or medical status the better indicator of risk for feeding difficulties?' This research will study babies admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital Neonatal Unit in 2015 using routinely collected data about stored on BadgerNet, a patient data management system. Coded data will be collected for the following variables: gestational age category (extremely preterm, very preterm, moderate-late preterm, term), medical status by number and type of bodily systems with health issues, and feeding outcome (full oral feeding by 37 weeks, 40 weeks, before discharge, or discharged home with tube feeding). Appropriate statistical tests will be used to determine the presence or absence of correlation between gestation age and medical variables and feeding outcome. Information from this study will be used to inform neonatal service delivery (including Speech and Language Therapy referral criteria and caseload prioritization) and areas in need of further research.